Houston Chamber Choir, one of the undisputed treasures of this city's busy classical scene, has received the American Prize in Choral Performance for 2015.

In addition, Robert Simpson, the choir's founder and artistic director, has received the Prize in the Choral Conducting category.

"We take great pride in this honor," said Simpson - understandably, given the double honor's emphatic confirmation of the choir's reputation as one of the nation's leading choral ensembles. Rewardingly, this recognition comes as the choir is celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary season.

Founded in 2009 and awarded annually, the American Prize is a series of nonprofit, national competitions in the performing arts - providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best performances by ensembles and individuals in the United States.

Dominick DiOrio, a Houston Chamber Choir alum and composer, received the 2014 Award in Composition.

The Houston Chamber Choir is composed of 27 professional singers, trained in top conservatories and music schools in this country and abroad.

"I am thrilled and honored to be part of an organization that, during the past 20 years, has so enhanced the cultural landscape of Houston and is now being recognized as a national leader in choral music," said Lorenzo Martinez, the choir's executive director. He congratulated the choir on this "acknowledgment of their artistic excellence."

Fresh from its holiday season concerts, Houston Chamber Choir will contnue its 2015-16 season with: "Mexicantos," a program exploring five centuries of Mexican choral music, March 5 at St. John the Divine Church; and "Just Gettin' Started," with four-time Grammy winner Christian McBride and his jazz trio joining the choir for performances including a new commissioned work for vocal ensemble.

In December, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the choir a $10,000 Art Works grant to support the commissioning and performance of McBride's new work.

Tickets and information for Houston Chamber Choir's upcoming programs are available online at houstonchamberchoir.org and by phone at 713-224-5566.

Everett Evans is a native Houstonian and a graduate of the University of Houston School of Journalism. He graduated in 1977 and received the Society of Professional Journalists? award as UH?s outstanding journalism graduate of that year.

He has covered the performing arts, with a particular focus on theater, as part of the Fine Arts staff of the Houston Chronicle since November 1978. Prior to that, he wrote briefly as staff writer for Performing Arts Magazine, then the program magazine for the city?s major performing arts groups including Houston Grand Opera and the Alley Theatre.

While at UH, he also worked part time for UH?s publicity office (Office of Information), writing press releases and other coverage of UH?s music and theater programs. He also wrote as theater, music and film critic for UH?s student newspaper.

Honors include a 1st Place Award (in criticism) from the Press Club of Houston, and other city and state-wide citations.